Chapter 52
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The commotion grew louder and louder, leaving Sophia and Matteo too embarrassed to stay any longer. They blamed everything on Laura.
Matteo shot Laura a deep look. “Laura, we’ll talk about this at home.”
“I need some time alone,” Laura croaked with difficulty.
Seeing her unwillingness to comply, Matteo supported his mother. “Mom, I’ll take you home.”
“This is it? You’re just letting it go?” Sophia was clearly dissatisfied with how things turned out.
“Let’s go home first, Mom.” Matteo tugged her along as they left.
Doris grasped Laura’s hand. “Laura, don’t be afraid. No matter what happens, I’m on your side.”
Laura bit her lip and nodded repeatedly. Lewis escorted the two sisters out of the café. Laura remained silent the entire way, her mood visibly low.
When they reached Greenlake Hill, Doris brought Laura her room to rest. “Laura, take a nap if you’re tired. I’ll call you when dinner’s ready.”
Laura didn’t reply, closing her eyes as though she had already fallen asleep..
Doris quietly got up and opened the door, only to see Lewis standing there with two cups of water. “I’ll make dinner. You should stay and keep your sister company,” he said.
“Thanks for this,” Doris said, feeling a sense of reassurance that came entirely from Lewis.
“It’s nothing. Hardly a big deal.” Lewis shook his head. “Laura’s feeling down. Talk with her and help her feel better.”
“I will.” Doris
He returned to the
the
cups. “I’ll head back in now.”
the room and placed the water on the nightstand. “Laura, have some water”
Still, Laura didn’t respond. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Doris stared at her sister’s pale face, saying, “I know you’re hurting right now, but a man like that isn’t worth breaking your heart over.
“He’s changed. He’s not the man who used to have eyes only for you. Laura, marriage is supposed to bring happiness. Are you happy with the way things are now?
“Tell me what you’re thinking. Do you want to keep trying with him, or are you considering… divorce? Whatever you decide, I’ll support you.”
Laura’s eyelashes fluttered as she slowly opened her eyes, staring at the blank ceiling above her.
“Laura…” Doris’s delicate brows furrowed slightly.
Laura sat up slowly, propping herself up on the bed after a long pause. “Doris, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“What is it? I’m listening.” Doris’s expression turned serious.
“Lewis asked to meet me today because of you. He transferred 100 thousand dollars to me to pay back Mrs. Yates,” Laur admitted, abandoning the story Lewis had suggested.
“He got you involved in my business? How meddlesome. He just wants me to quit my job, doesn’t he?” Doris couldn’t help but feel annoyed.
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Chapter 52
“Doris, don’t talk about him like that, Laura said before recounting the events of the day in deal. He sees intended for you to know about any of this. Everything he died was for your safety. Don’t hold it against him.
“I couldn’t bear to see him silently doing to much for you without you knowing while being Matteo take wordeserved credit for it. That’s why I told you the truth.
“Doris, quit your side gig, focus on your job at the hotel, and concentrate on your life together. Don’t let things turn out like they did with me and Matteo.”
“What about you and Matteo? What are you planning to do Doris asked.
“I can’t get divorced right now,” Laura replied. She didn’t have the courage to do it.
Their father had told her that once she married, she had to listen to her in–laws, Returning to her family after being treated unfairly would only invite ridicule.
If she got divorced, their father wouldn’t allow her back home. Even if she did return, he’d probably kick her out–or worse, drag her to the Webb family to apologize.
If she didn’t divorce, at least she would still have a place to live–even if it meant staying with the Webb family
“Doris, you must look down on me, right?” Laura gave a sad smile. “Even I think I’m such a failure.”
“Laura, I would never think that,” Doris said empathetically. “I understand–you love him, and you can’t let go.
I also know how incredibly hard it is to move on from someone you love. I just hope that whatever choice you make, you do it for yourself.”
Laura continued, “Doris, you know, I didn’t like Matteo at first. But he was so persistent, always chasing after me, constantly surprising me.
“He used to pick me up for work every morning, always bringing my favorite pancakes from Joyful Bites.
“The moment that moved me the most was when I was on a business trip and came down with a high fever. He dropped everything and rushed over from Hampstone, took me to the hospital in the middle of the night, and stayed by my side.
“I still remember how he held me, frantically searching for a doctor. At that moment, I silently told myself that I had to love this man with all my heart.
“Later, I found out he had given up a major business deal to be there for me, earning a harsh scolding from his father.
“I also learned that to keep Dad from scolding me, he secretly gave him money and bought him good wine and cigarettes. Because of him, Dad’s attitude toward me improved so much. He even said I married the right person.
“I thought I’d found happiness. I thought he would protect me like that for a lifetime…”
As Laura recounted the once beautiful love story, a smile of happiness surfaced on her face.
But the happier the memories, the more painful they felt when compared to the present.
Laura added, “I love him, so of course I wanted to fulfill his wishes and give him a son.
“I went to doctors, got injections, took medication–those bitter black herbal concoctions made me vomit, but I forced myself to keep drinking them.
“No matter how hard I tried, though, nothing worked. I still wasn’t pregnant.
“I feel like I’ve failed him. His mother scolding me feels deserved. I couldn’t give him a son to carry on the family line.
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Chapter 52
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“If he had married someone ele, maybe life would’ve turned out better. This life–1 brought it upon myself. I have no one to blame…
As Laura spoke, tears of guilt streamed down her face.
Laura, how can you think like that? None of this is your fault! And it’s definitely not an excuse for them to treat you this way?” Doris grabbed a tissue and wiped the tears from her sister’s face.
Laura took her hand and held it tightly. “Doris, my life has been ruined. All I hope now is for you to find happiness–for
both of us
“Laura,” Doris said, embracing her, “your happiness is up to you. You have to fight for it yourself”
Laura couldn’t help but wonder, ‘But can I still fight for it?
A knock came at the door as Lewis called out, “Doris, dinner’s ready
“Doris, go ahead and eat. I’m not hungry. I just want to rest for a while, Laura said, lying back down with exhaustion.
“Please, just eat a little. Your health is more important, Doris urged.
“Go on. Don’t keep your husband waiting. Laura insisted, urging Doris to leave.
Finding it impossible to change her sister’s mind, Doris left the room reluctantly. “She doesn’t want to eat,” she told Lewis.
“Then I’ll set some aside for her. She can reheat it later if she gets hungry,” Lewis replied.
The two of them sat across from each other at the dining table. The unpleasant events of the day left Doris with little appetite.
Lewis picked up a piece of grilled rib and placed it on her plate. “If you don’t eat, how will you take care of your sister? Even if you don’t feel like it, you still need to eat.”
Doris glanced up and noticed a thin, long scratch on his forearm, exposed where his sleeve was rolled up.
